The Decameron (Day 6 to Day 10): Containing an hundred pleasant NovelsBoccaccio, Giovanni
History
The Decameron (Day 6 to Day 10): Containing an hundred pleasant Novels
Boccaccio, Giovanni
Allegories; Frame stories; Plague -- Europe -- History -- Fiction; Storytelling -- Fiction
Alas honest _Buffalmaco_, answered the Physitian, thou art not
halfe acquainted with me as yet: because I walke with gloves upon
my hands, and in a long Gowne, thou perhappes doest imagine mee a
faint-hearted fellow. If thou didst know, what I have heeretofore done
at _Bologna_ in the night time, when I and my Consorts went to visite
pretty wenches, thou wouldst wonder at my couragious attempts. As I
am a Gentleman, one night, we met with a young _Bona Roba_, a paltry
greene-sicknesse baggage, scarsely above a Cubite in height, & because
she refused to go with us willingly, I gave her a kicke on the bum,
and spurnde her more then a Crosse-bowe shoote in distance from me,
and made her walke with us whether she would, or no. Another time I
remember, when having no other company but my boy, I went thorow the
Churchyard of the Fryars Minors, after the sounding of _Ave Maria_: a
woman hadde beene buried there the very same day, and yet I was not a
jotte affraid.
Wherefore, never be distrustfull of mee, but resolvedly builde upon my
courage. And in regard of my more honourable entertainment, I will then
weare my Scarlet Gowne and Hood, wherein I receyved my graduation; and
then do both of you observe, what a rejoycing will be among the whole
company, at the entertaining of such as a man as I am, enough to create
me Captaine immediatly. You shall perceive also how the case will go,
after I have beene there but a while, in regard that the Countesse
(having as yet never seene me) is so deepely enamored of mee: she
cannot choose but bestow the Bathe and Knight-hood on me, which shee
shall have the more honour of, in regard I am well able to maintaine
it, therefore referre all the rest to mee, and never misdoubt your
injurie or mine.
Spoken like a Gallant, replyed _Buffalmaco_, and I feare not now, but
we shall winne credite by your company. But be carefull I pray you,
that you make not a mockery of us, and come not at all, or fayle to be
there, when the Beast shall be sent for you; I speake it the rather,
because it is cold weather, and you Gentlemen Physitians can hardly
endure it. You are carefull of mee (quoth the Doctor) and I thanke
you for it, but I applaud my faire Starres, I am none of your nice or
easie-frozen fellowes, because cold weather is very familiar to me.
I dare assure you, when I arise in the night time for that naturall
office whereto all men are subject, I weare no warmer defence, then my
thin wastcoat over my shirt, and finde it sufficient for the coldest
weather at any time.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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